Volunteer
Our unpaid professionals offer their specialist skills free to the public — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Become a Volunteer
Tauranga LandSAR is a volunteer organisation that works alongside the New Zealand Police to locate missing people and support search and rescue operations throughout the Bay of Plenty.
We have opportunities for:
- Operational Field Members — working in the search environment.
- Management Support Unit (MSU) Members — administration, IT and technical support.
Our searches range from missing children and dementia sufferers in urban areas to lost hunters, trampers and vulnerable persons in remote terrain. We also assist Coastguard and Surf Lifesaving with shoreline searches. Callouts can occur at any time, in any weather, and may last from a few hours to several days. We are one of the busiest SAR groups in the country.
What's required?
Field team volunteers should have reasonable outdoor experience, navigation skills, and a commitment to learning. Local terrain knowledge is a bonus. LandSAR provides training to develop and maintain operational competency.
For a typical bush SAR operation, you need to be fit enough to keep moving in rough country for 8 hours at a time with an overnight pack. Stamina rather than speed is a prerequisite. We require volunteers who are team players, not “lone rangers”.
All applicants must undergo a New Zealand Police security clearance.
Member expectations
A genuine commitment to active involvement is essential.
Training
Attend regular training sessions — fortnightly evenings and the occasional weekend.
Competency
Complete required national training and core competency assessments.
SAREX
Participate in at least one weekend Search and Rescue Exercise each year.
Availability
Be reasonably available for search operations at short notice — we recommend discussing this with your employer before applying.
What next?
Applications are accepted year-round, with new member intakes generally occurring annually around August. To apply:
- Complete the application form, including confirming that you are willing to comply with the Code of Conduct.
- Send your application form to secretary@taurangalandsar.org.nz.
- A senior Tauranga LandSAR member will contact or meet with you to discuss your skills and suitability and answer any questions.
- If successful at the interview stage, you will be invited to participate in an overnight bushcraft/navigation training exercise — helping you decide if Tauranga LandSAR is for you, and giving us an opportunity to assess your suitability as a volunteer.
Volunteer
Our unpaid professionals give their specialist skills free to the public, 24/7, via NZ Police and the Rescue Coordination Centre.
Our Gallery
A look at our teams in the field — day and night, in the bush, on the water and along the coast.
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